U.S. Rep. Jared Polis, D-Boulder, this week will announce his introduction of a bill that would require food containing genetically modified organisms to be clearly identified.

"I am proud to help lead the GMO Labeling Bill, which is all about consumer choice and information," Polis said in a news release. "It's important to empower people with the information they need to make their own healthy choices. People have the right to make consumer decisions based on accurate transparency in labeling, and knowledge is power."

Polis -- the lead co-sponsor of the bill -- will hold a news conference announcing the proposal at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday at Alfalfa's Market, 1651 Broadway, Boulder.

"We were very honored his office called and asked if they could hold this press conference at Alfalfa's," said Mark Retzloff, president of Alfalfa's. "Our company's mission and beliefs resonate very closely with what Jared is doing."

Retzloff said he feels it is important consumers have access to all the information they need to make informed choices while buying food.

"We've always supported the consumer's right to know; it's just always been something we've felt very strongly about," Retzloff said. "Our mission here and what we talk to our customers all the time about is transparency. ... I think it's just all about choice, and people have the right to make their decision based on adequate labeling, and fundamentally, knowledge is power for the consumer."

The bill states that consumers have a right to know whether the food they purchase contains or was produced with GMOs. It also defines GMOs and provides civil penalties for violations.

While initiatives have been presented in several states, Retzloff said a federal bill would provide a guideline for all companies to use.

"Knowing as a manufacturer and a retailer that sells these products and gets them from all over the country, something that is consistent throughout so interstate trade can move freely is important," he said.